God sent the prophets with scrolls (of Revelation), that He might pick out (and sort) these grains on the dish.
حق فرستاد انبیا را با ورق ** تا گزید این دانه‌ها را بر طبق
Before the, (the prophets) we were all alike, none knew whether we were good or bad.285
پیش از ایشان ما همه یکسان بدیم ** کس ندانستی که ما نیک و بدیم
False coin and fine (both) were current in the world, since all was night, and we were as night-travellers,
قلب و نیکو در جهان بودی روان ** چون همه شب بود و ما چون شب روان
Until the sun of the prophets rose and said, “Begone, O alloy! Come, O thou that art pure!”
تا بر آمد آفتاب انبیا ** گفت ای غش دور شو صافی بیا
The eye can distinguish colours, the eye knows ruby and (common) stone.
چشم داند فرق کردن رنگ را ** چشم داند لعل را و سنگ را
The eye knows the jewel and the rubbish; hence bits of rubbish sting the eye.
چشم داند گوهر و خاشاک را ** چشم را ز آن میخلد خاشاکها
These vile counterfeiters are enemies of day, those pieces of gold from the mine are lovers of day,290
دشمن روزند این قلابکان ** عاشق روزند آن زرهای کان
Because day is the mirror that makes it (the fine gold) known, so that the ashrafí (the coin of sterling gold) may see (receive) its (day's) gift of honour.
ز آن که روز است آینهی تعریف او ** تا ببیند اشرفی تشریف او
Hence God bestowed the title of “Day” on the Resurrection, (for) day displays the beauty of red and yellow.
حق قیامت را لقب ز آن روز کرد ** روز بنماید جمال سرخ و زرد
In reality, then, day is the inmost consciousness of the saints, (though) beside their moon day is (dim) as shadows.
پس حقیقت روز سر اولیاست ** روز پیش ماهشان چون سایههاست